All Aboard

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

When I was a kid, my Dad would often say, “Rickey, your train of thought has jumped its track.” “Train of thought.” I think it is a great metaphor for describing how our minds work. Our thoughts take us somewhere, like a train. And if you want to make it to your desired destination, you had better board the right train!

The truth is, we can choose what we want to think about. That’s why Scripture exhorts us to think about godly things [Philippians 4.8]. Try as hard as you can, you can’t stop ungodly thoughts from entering your mind. If that were the case, there would be no need of Paul’s instruction to set our minds on “things above,” godly things [Colossians 3.2]. 

That’s where the renewed mind comes to bear. Many trains of thought about God, people, even ourselves and our destiny, are completely contrary to God’s Word. Perhaps they have developed from our experiences rather than “thus sayeth the Lord.” 

While it is hard work, we must exercise our mind muscle. When the train of thought that is contrary to the Holy pulls up to the platform, don’t get on board. Pick the train that leads to the right destination. It’s the reason we must study and meditate on Scripture. If we don’t know it, how will we know which train to avoid? 

A renewed mind is not a singular event in the life of a Christ follower. It should be a day-by-day — sometimes a moment-by-moment — experience. That’s right, a lifelong process. It’s easy to become weary, so be ready to fight off the frustration that will come your way. Pick your train carefully and you will always end up at the right, and desired, destination.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12.2